Free Web NovelChapter 112: Chapter 109: Crystal Stele Privilege
Qing Ning shyly lifted his head, only to find Feng Hao already gone. A hint of displeasure crossed his delicate features as he grumbled, "What’s the big rush? Am I that repulsive?"
"Brother Qing, I’d advise you not to dwell on it," Shi Daniu sighed, stepping forward to console him.
Shi Erniu chimed in, "Yeah, Brother Qing. People from the Fifth Ring Star Realm and the Third Ring Star Realm almost never cross paths. Besides, he’s from a Bloodline Planet."
"What are you two implying? Are you trying to piss me off on purpose?" Qing Ning’s face fell as he asked viciously.
The Shi Brothers immediately backed down, muttering with their heads lowered, "We’re just speaking the truth."
"Hmph! So what if he’s from a Bloodline Planet? With Feng Hao’s talent and strength, he’ll break free one day." Qing Ning scoffed, then furiously activated the Secret Realm Mark in his sea of consciousness and disappeared.
The Shi Brothers glanced at each other, then helplessly activated their marks and departed as well.
Meanwhile, Feng Hao had already returned to the Central Square of the Five Provinces Academy. After being away for several days, the North District, where the Origin Node was located, was as bustling as ever. New and old students came and went, their calls to form teams echoing ceaselessly.
After experiencing the wildly unpredictable climate of the Secret Realm, Feng Hao felt a little disoriented by the sudden return.
He glanced at the spoils in his Spatial Ring and decided to head back to the dorm to share the good news with Houhuiyao. However, he’d barely taken a few steps before running into an acquaintance in the North District of the square: Man Tiaotiao, the girl who could supposedly take out her own father in three punches.
At the moment, Man Tiaotiao was clearly organizing a training expedition team. To Feng Hao’s surprise, Xiyue Frost was not among them.
"Hey, hick! Did you just get back from the Secret Realm?" Seeing Feng Hao, Man Tiaotiao called out with an annoyed look.
Feng Hao frowned and stepped forward, unfazed by the curious stares of Man Tiaotiao’s teammates. "Didn’t Xiyue Frost come with you?"
"Xiaoshuang said she doesn’t like teaming up. I tried talking her into it for ages, but it was no use," Man Tiaotiao said sullenly.
"Oh," Feng Hao replied tonelessly, then turned and walked away.
’I thought having a live wire like Man Tiaotiao around would help Xiyue Frost change a little, but it seems I was expecting too much. Curing social anxiety isn’t that simple. It’s going to be a long journey.’
Seeing Feng Hao leave without another word, Man Tiaotiao was fuming. One of her teammates asked curiously, "Tiaotiao, what’s that guy’s story? He seems pretty full of himself."
"He’s just a hick. Ignore him," Man Tiaotiao said dismissively. "Let’s hurry up and find two ranged Mages for the Secret Realm expedition."
...
Back at the dorm, Houhuiyao was brewing pills with a troubled expression, a brand-new set of Alchemy Equipment sitting before him.
"Whoa, got the new equipment already?" Feng Hao teased.
Houhuiyao froze. Seeing Feng Hao, he quickly set aside his work and rushed over, his expression urgent. "Brother Feng, you’re finally back! Get over to the classrooms, quick! Some bastard named Sha Mingliang brought a gang and is causing trouble for our Alchemy Department!"
"Sha Mingliang?" Feng Hao’s brow furrowed. He quickly remembered the second-year from the Strength Department he’d thrashed on the first day of school. ’I can’t believe he actually has the guts to show up again.’
With that thought, Feng Hao didn’t dare to waste any time and rushed toward the academic building with Houhuiyao.
As soon as they arrived at the academic building, they saw Sha Mingliang, his face practically begging to be punched, leading a group of people and blocking the entrance. He was yelling maniacally, "The Alchemy Department is still the Alchemy Department—not a single one of you can fight! Right, where’s that freshman named Feng Hao? I’m here to settle a score with him!"
"Sha Mingliang, are you provoking our Alchemy Department?" several fifth-year alchemy students from the Crystal Stele rankings demanded coldly.
"That’s right, I am!" Sha Mingliang cackled arrogantly.
The three fifth-year alchemy students at the front were all Fourth-rank Mages. They couldn’t stand for such words and immediately drew their weapons to fight. "Don’t think you can walk all over the Alchemy Department just because we’re small! Take this!"
With that, the three alchemy seniors charged forward in a rage. But Sha Mingliang just stood there with a smirk, completely unfazed.
SHIIING—!
Just as the three alchemy seniors were about to strike Sha Mingliang, the cry of a sword rang out. A frigid blade of light descended like a downpour, violently forcing the three of them back.
At the same time, a dark-skinned, scar-faced young man appeared in front of Sha Mingliang, his disdainful gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"Oh no, it’s Cao Heng from the Strength Department!" a cry of alarm rang out from among the alchemy students.
The three alchemy seniors’ faces turned grim. Although they were also Fourth-rank Mages, alchemy students were ultimately no match for those in combat-oriented departments, let alone the Strength Department, which was the most powerful of them all.
"Cao Heng, what’s the meaning of this?" the leading alchemy senior asked, gritting his teeth.
Cao Heng sneered. "Nothing much. Just getting paid to solve someone’s problem for them."
"Whatever credits he gave you, I’ll double it!"
Cao Heng grinned. "Can you cough up two pieces of Level 4 Refined Steel?"
"Level 4 Refined Steel?!" The three alchemy seniors could only smile bitterly. They weren’t lacking in academic credits or Magic Crystals, but Level 4 Refined Steel was not something one could easily get their hands on.
Seeing the Alchemy Department students stumped, Sha Mingliang strode forward with even more arrogance. "Haha, if you know what’s good for you, hand over Feng Hao."
Hearing this, all the alchemy students present fell silent.
Fortunately, Feng Hao arrived right at that moment. Without a word, he lunged at Sha Mingliang. He moved so fast that Sha Mingliang had no time to react and was instantly struck to the ground. Corroded by the ensuing dark energy and poison, Sha Mingliang’s Qi Blood plummeted.
The sudden development stunned everyone. Even Cao Heng was startled, hastily blocking Feng Hao’s follow-up attack.
Seeing Feng Hao appear, the students from the Alchemy Department collectively breathed a sigh of relief. But when they remembered Cao Heng’s power, they began to worry once more.
"Class President, be careful! Cao Heng is ranked seventy-ninth in the Strength Department. He’s terrifyingly strong!"
Feng Hao’s eyebrow twitched, and a surge of anger and battle intent flared within him. He turned to the three alchemy seniors and said, "Thank you for stepping up, seniors. Just keep the small fry at bay. This guy is mine."
"Junior, don’t be reckless. He’s a Fourth-rank Mage. We should let the instructors handle this," the leading senior said with a wry smile. It wasn’t that he looked down on Feng Hao; the power gap was just too immense.
Feng Hao just smiled. "No need. Just hold off those grunts."
"Alright. Be careful, Junior." The three alchemy seniors gritted their teeth and nodded, then roared as they charged toward the small fry behind Cao Heng.
The battle ignited instantly. The entire area in front of the academic building devolved into chaos, with only Feng Hao and Cao Heng locked in a cold stare amidst the brawl.
Sha Mingliang lay sprawled on the ground, his face pale. He seethed, "Senior Cao Heng, that’s the kid! Help me cripple one of his legs, and I’ll give you two pieces of Level 4 Refined Steel! No, three!"
The corner of Cao Heng’s mouth quirked up as he replied coolly, "Five pieces."
"Fine," Sha Mingliang agreed, gritting his teeth.
Hearing the agreement, Cao Heng instantly drew his sword and pointed it at Feng Hao. He sneered, a mocking glint in his eyes. "I’m surprised the Alchemy Department has a tough guy. Too bad your rank is so low. You heard him. Are you going to cripple one of your own legs, or do I have to do it for you?"
"Assaulting a student in the open like this... aren’t you afraid the academy will punish you?" Feng Hao asked in a low voice.
"Punishment?" Cao Heng sneered arrogantly. "For us students on the Crystal Stele, the academy’s rules are merely a suggestion."
"So that’s how it works." Feng Hao nodded in understanding as a profound killing intent surfaced in his eyes. ’I thought I would have to hold back, but it seems I worried for nothing. Wherever rules exist, a privileged class will always be there to break them.’
